The Power of Focus (Weights and Sin)

Hebrews 12:1-2

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…

Imagine running a race and the spectators start criticizing you saying you are doing it all wrong and you are going to lose the race. Now imagine yourself getting out of the track and going to the grand stands to argue with the spectators, proving to them that you were running the race the right way and you are confident that you are going to win. You may win the argument, but you know what, you will lose the actual race.

This is the picture painted by the opening verse. The life we are in is a race. And every one runs to win. The author of Hebrews now gives us some tips of how we can win the race – the race needs focus. There are four things mentioned here that are going to guarantee us success in the race. The first thing is what many do not consider in their day-to-day lives as believers – the WEIGHTS. 

 

For you to be focused in life you need to lay aside weights that will hinder you from running the race properly. Imagine running a race with a 10 kg steel ball chained to your leg. You can drag along your legs the race course but you will not be at the finishing line at the time those who are free will get there.

Now, what are some of these weights that  can distract us from running the race properly? Jesus talked about the cares of this world, when He was teaching on the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:22). “what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink;… what ye shall put on,” (Matthew 6:25) are some of the major cares that plague quite a number of people, believers and unbelievers alike. They call them basic needs – food and clothing. Jesus did not tell us to stop working for the food we eat or for the clothes we wear. The bible actually says the one that does not provide for his family has denied the faith and is worse that an infidel [an unbeliever] (1 Timothy 5:8). Paul tells the thief to steal no more, start working with his hands because it is a good thing (Ephesians 4:28). What Jesus is teaching against is having our hearts focused on getting all these basic needs. The One who made us knows all things we need, and His hands are open to give us all things we will ever need (Romans 8:32).

Another weight that hinders our progress in this race called life we are in is deceitfulness of riches (Matthew 13:22). Jesus told us the purpose of these two hindrances – to choke the Word, so that it does not become fruitful in our lives as Believers. Deceitfulness of riches affects both rich and poor. If you do not believe it, look at how many people play the lotto. The majority is poor people. The deception is hinged on the figure that is set as the price money – millions of dollars (or whatever currency they have in their country). On the other hand, the rich trust in their riches. Their focus is on getting more because they think they will be satisfied if they have more. It is an endless cycle, a vicious, downward spiral that ends in both the rich and the poor disappointed. This is what Jesus Christ does not want from us believers. He does not want us to have all our focus on getting more riches; He wants all our eyes on Him.

Of sin, we can not talk much about. The Bible is very clear on God’s position with regards to sin and His attitudes towards it; God HATES sin. Sin creates a barrier between men and God (Isaiah 59:2). Romans 6:23 says “the wages of sin is death… .” In John 8:34, Jesus said that ‘everyone that practices sin is a slave (Greek – bondservant) to sin. The same is said by Paul in Romans 6:16. We all need to forsake sin (2 Chronicles 7:14), every form of it. It is deadly!

At the close of Matthew 6 Jesus told us where to put all our focus- the Kingdom. He said, “seek first the kingdom of God and all these things (food, clothes, shelter, riches) will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33). This is what the author of Hebrews is exhorting us to do. Looking unto Jesus, not to what we do not have or what we have physically, because He is the author and perfecter of our faith.